It’s common knowledge that surgery itself comes with many risks.
What some people forget about are the risks of injuring yourself during recovery at home. Anesthesia, pain medications, and weakened muscles can put individuals at a high risk of falling during the post-surgery recovery. The kitchen cabinets you used to open without a problem now seem just out of reach. The doorways you walked through without an issue suddenly seem to have a speed bump in your way. And you can’t seem to find your balance when you stand up. The good news is, there are products that can significantly help with your recovery process. Here are the top four access solutions to consider purchasing before surgery so you have them in place for when you arrive home.
Door Threshold Access
Remember the speed bump we just mentioned? There is often a ridge in each doorway of the house to connect a gap between two different types of flooring called a door threshold. From tile to wood for example. Or even wood to wood. When your health is at 100% you may not even notice the ridges, but post-surgery you may not have the dexterity and balance to safely lift your feet off the ground without tripping, especially if using a piece of mobility equipment you’re not used to such as crutches. Consider purchasing an entry ramp, mat, or plate to ease the stress on your body when you enter and exit doorways and entrances. These products allow you to gradually go up the incline rather than having a sharp bump you need to step over. Our TRANSITIONS® threshold solutions can be installed in minutes. You can choose between a simple one-piece design, allowing you to set it and forget it, or a model that requires just a few steps for assembly so that a range of height adjustability can be utilized to conform to your unique doorway.
Temporary Outdoor Ramp
Eliminate barriers like steps and uneven surfaces at the entrance of your home. When you try to avoid barriers without a safe access solution, you and your caregiver are at both at risk for injury. Unfortunately, if you fall, as your friend, relative, or a professional try to help you, you may take them down with you. A semi-permanent ramp, like the GATEWAY™ 3G Solid Surface Portable Ramp, allows for stable entry and exit into your home. This ramp line is equipped with handrail options to help assist with balance and stability. The GATEWAY 3G is a great, compact solution for a smaller barrier like a single step at the entrance of your home.
Portable Ramp
There will come a day during recovery when you will get antsy and want to get outside. Or to at least get out of the house and inside some other building. While your home entrance is already equipped for safe mobility, if you have one of the semi-permanent ramps we talked about earlier, many entrances around your town or city may not be as accessible. This is where portable ramps become your best friend. Choose between a singlefold or trifold style from our SUITCASE® collection. All three of the portable ramps we offer in this line have a slip-resistant surface for safe use. Check out this SUITCASE Singlefold Ramp Size chart to see what ramp lengths are available.
Bathroom Safety
No one likes to talk about bathroom issues, but for your safety, we’re going to. No matter the age, gender, or ability, everyone is at risk of falling and injuring themselves in the bathroom. When the slick surface of a tile floor or ceramic bathtub gets wet, any individual is at risk of getting hurt. This means that it’s extremely important to prepare the bathroom for a safe post-surgery recovery. The products you purchase to assist with recovery depend on what type of surgery you will be having and the kind of help you will receive from a caretaker. The two most common areas individuals need assistance with is washing their hair and sitting down on the toilet. If you cannot stand for long periods of time in the shower, consider an in-bed hair-washing solution like the EZ-SHAMPOO® Hair Washing Basin. This allows you to lay down, while a caretaker washes your hair. Many individuals also struggle with engaging the right muscles to sit down after surgery. If you need help sitting down on the couch, chances are you will need help in the bathroom. A discreet option for bathroom assistance is a solution like the TILT® Toilet Incline Lift, that lifts you on to and off of the toilet.
Each of the solutions we mentioned above is flexible and adaptable for any home.
If you or a loved one have a planned surgery coming up, take a lap around your house and look out for areas that you could trip over or struggle with when your mobility is limited for a period of time.
As always, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to our Customer Service team.